The Government Contractor Certificate Program

Posted by Administrator on October 10th, 2007

The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) is a non-profit organization that supports government buyers and other public sector professionals. Through a combination of research, consulting, and advocacy, the NIGP strives to support and improve the government procurement process.

While most of the NIGP’s services are focused on government agencies, they do offer a course for government contractors: The Government Contractor Certificate (GCC) Program. I often recommend that my products and services staff complete the GCC program as an overview of the procurement process. If you’re just getting started as a government contractor, getting your GCC certificate will give you a world of insight into the laws, policies and best practices of public sector contracting.

Advantages to the Government Contractor Certificate

Because the NIGP’s industry expertise lies with government agencies, the Government Contractor Certificate program is presented from an agency’s perspective. The entire purpose of the program is to better educate government contractors in order to streamline the procurement process, facilitate communication, and eliminate confusion and costly errors. With over 60 years of experience with public-sector buyers, the NIGP knows what buyers are looking for. The courses included in the GCC provide an insider’s look at the procurement process and the laws, ethics and policies involved.

For those who are just starting to expand their contracting efforts into the government space, GCC certification is also a great way to demonstrate commitment to government contracting. It can be difficult for companies without a lot of experience working for the government to prove that they have what it takes. GCC-certified contractors have a concrete demonstration of their knowledge of, and sensitivity to, the unique requirements of government contracting.

From the NIGP website:

Top Reasons to Obtain the GCC Professional Certificate:

The GCC Certificate demonstrates to your existing and potential government customers your understanding of their business environment and contracting constraints.
Learn new policies and trends impacting Federal, State, & Local Government Contracting.
Find your way through the Government Contracting “maze” from an “insiders” perspective.
Understand requirements of Ethical Conduct from the Public Procurement Professional’s perspective.
Understand the Strategic Role of the Purchasing Function in Government Agencies.
Improve contract performance and reduce sales costs.
Discover new contracting opportunities.
Sales Growth and Development.
Improve Buyer/Seller Relationships.